Tom Perkins 




J. William Pope 




Class JJl_fJ__ L 

Book _7?6_ 

Copyright N° 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



n For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he 
also reap. n 



TO 

DAVID STARR JORDAN 

PRESIDENT OF 

LELAND STANFORD JR., UNIVERSITY 

THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY 

DEDICATED BY 

THE AUTHOR 



Tom Perkins 



THE STORY OF 

A BASE BALL PLAYER 

BY 

J. WILLIAM POPE 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY 
ROWLAND R. MURDOCH 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

BROCKETT PRINTING COMPANY 

PITTSBURGH, PA. 






Copyrighted 1911 by 

H. B. BROCKETT, JR., 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 



JO 



©CI.A286832 



Tom Perkins. 



* * * 



m 


T 





om Perkins was the son of a 
farmer, and had been until he 
was fourteen years of age, on 
his father's farm. He was a 
bright youth considering the limited school 
term every year, which was just three months. 
Mr. Perkins was a good man, living strictly 
up to what he believed to be taught by Christ, 
loving God and his neighbor as himself. He 
with his good wife were quite old to have so 
young a son; but they had been married late 
in life, and Tom was their only child, and in 
order to bring him up in the way he should 
go, he was taken to church every Sunday from 
his infancy, although the church was five 
miles distant. 



4 TOM PERKINS 

Sometimes he was taken in arms on horse- 
back, and at other times in a Dearborn. 

In the county of Deerhoofs, the people were 
nearly all Presbyterians, and their churches 
were few and far between, and on Sundays 
the people took with them a lunch, so that they 
had two sermons before returning home. 

As a rule those farmers were honest, God 
serving people, and many were the farmer's 
sons who became preachers, and are now fill- 
ing the pulpits in many cities. It was the 
heart's desire of Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, that 
Thomas, their son, should become one of the 
Shepherds of Christ, and gather many straying 
sheep to the fold, and to reach that wished for 
haven for their son, nothing was left undone, 
no expense cared for, no privation too great. 

Mrs. Perkins had a brother living in the city 
of Harmony; he was childless, but very rich, 
and to him was sent Thomas, so that he might 



TOM PERKINS 5 

have the advantage of good schools. Once 

a month he visited his home, and all who met 

him could see the advance he had made, and 

gave him great praise. 
« 
At the age of seventeen Thomas entered 

n Green's n College, and at once began to climb 

the ladder, and kept at the head of his classes, 

and became, as it were, the leader of all the 

societies in the college. 

There was formed a Base Ball Team, by 
students, and Tom, of it was made captain. 
He became the best pitcher there about, and 
by his skill his team won every game played 
by them, but to that college team came what 
comes to all ball teams — the love of drink — 
and Tom soon became the best pitcher of the 
bottle and glass, among those he met, but for 
a while he kept sober while playing. 

When Tom had passed through college he 
was reckoned the best orator the college had 



6 TOM PERKINS 

turned out, and it was said of him !l What a 
great preacher and persuader he will prove 
to be." He also had a fine voice for singing, 
and had cultivated it, and sang in many con- 
certs, and in a church choir. When he quitted 
college, instead of beginning the study of the- 
ology, he joined a professional ball team at a 
large salary, and did not go to his home. 

When his parents learned of the course he 
had taken it grieved them sore; their pride and 
aspirations were crushed; his good old mother 
took to her bed quite ill; at last she became 
so low that a telegram was sent to Tom. It 
was Sunday, and he was in Pearl, in the midst 
of a game when he received the notice. He 
did not stop the game, but when it was won 
then he told "The Boys" he must start for home 
but would soon return. 

When he arrived at home, he found his 
mother dead. Grief for the moment seemed 



TOM PERKINS 7 

to crush him, for, b} r the bed side his father 
knelt in tears, and the first words Tom heard 
his father speak were, " Not my will, but Thine 
be done, O Lord!" 

The old man shook with emotion, for he 
there saw the partner of his hopes, like his 
hopes, beyond his help. Their hope was that 
their only child would at manhood, yield the 
fruit for which their hearts hungered. Alas ! 
how brittle is the branch on which Hope hangs 
her fruit to ripen, her blossoms being shed. 

After the funeral, Tom was about leaving 
to rejoin his team, when his uncle, with whom 
he had lived in the city, took him aside and 
said, n Thomas, do you know that you were 
the cause of your mother's death? she 
died of a broken heart because of your 
downward course ; your drinking and viola- 
ting the commandments which say : 'Remem- 
ber the Sabbath day, and keep it holy,' and 



8 TOM PERKINS 

'Honor thy father and thy mother. 1 

Thomas, your father is old and in deep dis- 
tress because of your mother's death, and your 
wayward life; if you do not change your course 
and stay with him, I fear he too, will die of a 
broken heart" 

Tom held down his head a while, and then 
said "Uncle, I have lost control of myself, and 
the fiend Drink, with the love of game, has me 
in chains bound so firm that nothing earthly 
has the power to release me; I am doomed; 
it is not my desire to act as I do, for often I 
resolve to return to my first love, but the fiend 
stands in my way, and often I have meditated 
death by my own hands, then spectre like an 
angel in the form of a woman, a beautiful 
woman, with smiles, turns me from my pur- 
pose." 

There was silence for a while; at last Tom 
resumed. "There is a plan in all Nature's works, 



TOM PERKINS 9 

I believe, and also in the lives of men, and 
while we cannot see the end, it has been fixed 
and man cannot escape his reaching that end, 
be it what it may. All the prayers of the Marys, 
and His disciples, could not save our Lord from 
the cross, nor could all the powers of Hell 
keep Him in the sealed tomb. It required 
divine power to save the woman from being 
stoned to death, and to start her uncondemned 
on a new life, and it was that same power 
which saved Paul, and my prayer is that the 
same goodness may in some way save even 
me; yes, even if it be like as the thief, at my 
last hour." 

"Well Thomas," said his uncle, "I see that 
my words are void of power over you; there- 
fore with prayers to Him who doeth all things 
well, I leave you in His care." 

Tom the next morning started to rejoin his 
team, leaving his father in deep grief. 



10 TOM PERKINS 

When Tom arrived at Pearl, he found the 
team in great disorder, and all from drink, but 
as he had great command over them, the team 
was soon on its feet again, and ready, as the 
saying is, "To lock horns with any team having 
the sand to meet them." 

Tom drank more, but still was chief of 
pitchers, and so passed the ball season with 
great success. 

When the next season began, the first game 
was on Sunday, at Harmony, and it -was said 
that by the gate receipts they knew that there 
had been fifteen hundred people on the 
grounds, and the rule with ball teams in that 
country was, "To the victors belonged the 
spoils," and alas ! for Tom's pitching, his team 
lost the game. Tom was drunk at the time. 

That misfortune left his team in a bad fix as 
their cash was low, but the sports of the town 
helped them through, and they won all the 




'But Tom's pockets were full as well as 

his head" (p age 15) 



TOM PERKINS 1 1 

games after their first defeat. 

Tom was now on his high horse, and about 
the middle of the season he got word that his 
father was dead and buried, and that he was 
wanted home to hear his father's will read. 

Of course he must go, as he was the only- 
heir. He went with great expectations. Ar- 
riving at home, a desolate home, he found his 
uncle and aunt there to receive him. The day 
after his coming the squire and others, came 
to the house; the squire having drawn up the 
will and other papers, proceeded to read 
"The last will and testament of Thomas 
Perkins " and it ran thus : "I give and bequeath 
my son Thomas, all my estate which may re- 
main after all my debts are paid;" and then 
was read the following paper: "There is a first 
and second mortgage on the farm given to 
raise money to educate my son Thomas; they 
must first be paid off; and I desire that the farm 



12 TOM PERKINS 

stock and all other belongings of mine be sold, 
and payment made of all my debts, and what- 
ever remains thereafter, be given to my son. 
And I pray I may not lie in my grave and have 
it said I owe any man a farthing." 

The uncle, who by the will was made its 
administrator, at once sold the farm, and he 
who held the first mortgage, assumed the 
second, and bought the farm. When the 
stock and household goods were sold, there 
was still a shortage to the amount of three 
hundred dollars, of enough to pay off the mort- 
gage. That fact brought Tom to himself, 
and he said, "And shall my father lie in his 
grave owing three hundred dollars?" for a 
moment he thought, then speaking to him 
who held the mortgage, said, " I have with me 
one hundred and fifty dollars, and if you will 
agree, I will give you one hundred, and my 
note for two hundred at interest until paid," to 



TOM PERKINS 13 

which Mr. James who held the mortgage said 
fl You seem to mean well, and I will accept 
your offer. n Thus the will of Mr. Thomas 
Perkins was fulfilled, and the old home of the 
Perkins family passed into other hands. 

Before leaving the neighborhood, Tom went 
to the churchyard and viewed the unsodded 
graves of his parents, then with a deep sigh he 
said, n O grave ! thou hast the victory ! 

O Death ! thou hast a sting for me. ' 
Then turning away with a heavy heart, he 
wept, and started to join his team. 

Tom had left the team at Pearl, with one 
game yet to play, but as he was called away 
that game was postponed until his return, and 
on his return the game was advertised to come 
off on Sunday. 

The grounds were crowded. From other 
cities had come many sports, gamblers who 
bet on results, and who knew how to win. 



14 TOM PERKINS 

But who can tell the casting of the die, 

Except the rogue who knows how it to toss? 
Nor lives the rogue whom money will not buy, 

No matter who may suffer by the loss. 
E'en at the feet of Him with pierced side, 

They gambled for a garment He had worn; 
What of all gamblers had He never died ? 
Like Judas, better they had ne'er been born. 
From the hour Tom arrived in Pearl, the 
sharpers were after him. They gave him 
money, and they gave him drink, and feasted 
him like a lord, all to the purpose that he 
would cause his team to lose the game, either 
by his bad condition, or by his will that they 
should. 

The game was called, and for a while Tom 
acted like a hero bound to win the fight. 

But when his team seemed sure of success, 
Tom changed the aspect of affairs, and at last 
his team was beaten, but only by a few hits. 
The gamblers who won, were wild with de- 



TOM PERKINS 15 

light and drink, and picking up Tom carried 
him off the grounds with shoutings of victory. 

Among the members of Tom's team there 
was not enough money to take them out of 
town, but Tom's pockets were full, as well as 
his head, and the sharpers kept him away from 
his pals until he had exhausted his ill gotten 
gains, then Tom found himself without money 
and without friends, and nothing left for him 
but to tramp. 

The team he had helped to win would have 
nothing to do with him, and his own team 
was no more. 

With a heavy heart, Tom with a case holding 
his ball suit, left the city of Pearl, with no point 
in view; when night came on he was fifteen 
miles on his way to where he knew not, but 
near a village, where, when he arrived, he put 
up at the only public house in the place. He 
remained there for a week, drinking freely. 



16 TOM PERKINS 

At last the landlord asked him for some 
money, but Tom had none to give him, which 
made the landlord very angry; he cursed Tom 
for a tramp, and taking him by the cuff of the 
neck kicked him out the door, empty handed, 
for his suit case was kept for his bill. 

Tom made no defense; he was never known, 
even when in his cups, to get into a passion, 
and when kicked out of doors he said not a 
word, but with empty hands and pockets, 
began tramping; and thus for miles he tramped 
sleeping in barns, neath corn shock in the 
fields, and sometimes in fence corners by the 
roadside; he begged, and often stole from 
spring houses milk, and even butter which he 
ate without bread, and walked through orchard 
eating and filling his pockets with apples. 

Once he stole some potatoes, but having no 
match to make fire with, he had to eat his 
potatoes raw. 



TOM PERKINS 1 7 

Thus Tom for months was a true man of the 
world, believing the world owed him a living, 
and it lay with himself how he would get it. 

It chanced that he found one like himself, 
and they became fast friends, and were often 
seen counting the ties in a railroad track, and 
were dubbed "The Blue Jays" ; why they were 
thus named was because they wore blue 
cotton handkerchiefs about their necks. 

The first meeting of the Jays was in this 
wise : as Tom was tramping along one morn- 
ing in the month of August, he drew nigh to a 
creek and heard a call for help ; running to 
the creek he saw that it was raging, and a man 
struggling in the swift flood. Tom ran down 
the shore and got in advance of the drifting 
man, and being a good swimmer, he plunged 
in and grasping the man who had ceased to 
struggle, he swam and drifted to land which 
he reached ; he then drew the man feet first 



18 TOM PERKINS 

up the bank keeping his head in the water, 
for as the adage is, n Never take a drowning 
person from the water head first if you would 
resuscitate him." 

When Tom had him fixed with feet up hill, 
and lying on his belly, he with one foot pressed 
upon his back, and the water gushed from his 
nose and mouth. When the water ceased to 
flow, Tom turned the man on his back and 
began pressing on his chest and blowing in 
his face. At length the man began to breathe ; 
he opened his eyes and said with a soft liquid 
voice, n Where am I ; is this hell ? n Tom made 
answer, n Not yet, though we are on the 
right road to get there." 

Tom then got the man up the bank and over 
the fence into a wheat field, and there they 
denuded themselves, and hung their rags — 
which they were — on the fence to dry, and in 
the mean time sitting by a wheat shock they 



TOM PERKINS 19 

rubbed the wheat heads in their hands and 
feasted on the grain ; they also filled their 
pockets, when their rags were dry, with grain 
for future use. 

In answer to Tom's question of " Where did 
you come from, and what is your name ? n the 
man said, n My name is William Elliott, and I 
am from Harmony ; but what might your name 
be, and where are you going ? n Tom said n My 
name is Thomas Perkins, but as to where I am 
going I know not, but this I do know, that 
Weary my soul is in midst of the glory 

Of Sol's warming brightness o'er mountain and plain, 
The cause of my grief is a heart-rending story, 
And only would wound me the telling again; 
Suffice it, the heart when from moorings fierce driven, 

Its anchor deep sunken, its masts on the wave, 
Has lost every hope saving only that haven 

Where wrecks may drift in, though 'tis gloomy — 

the grave." 

From that day Tom and William Elliott 



20 TOM PERKINS 

became great chums, and after tramping 
sore footed, ragged and dirty, they at last 
reached Multitude, the capital of the kingdom. 
The land, or kingdom, was Imagination, a vast 
and mighty land surrounded by the great Sea 
of Thought. 

After they had been driven from many back 
doors, the teeth of hunger gnawed at their 
vitals, and food they must have by hook or by 
crook. At last they agreed to meet at a certain 
place, and parted with the determination to 
steal something to eat, come what might. 

Tom, after long looking for game, went 
into a baker's store, and after telling how 
hungry he was, asked for some bread. The 
baker said, while he leaned on the show case 
filled with tempting cakes, "We bake our 
bread to sell, not to give tramps like you, so 
proceed on your journey." 

Tom turned to depart and seeing some 



TOM PERKINS 21 

small loaves of bread near his hand he swiped 
one and started on a run, tearing and eating 
the bread as he ran. Soon arose the cry of 
" Stop thief, " and after running a few blocks 
he was captured with the goods in hand. 

When he was brought before the judge he 
did not deny the theft, but while still munch- 
ing the bread he said, n Judge, I was hungry, 
and I asked for bread and none was given me; 
I was then forced to appeal to the first law of 
Nature, self preservation. If a man to save his 
own life kills another, the jury will call it self 
defense, and acquit the man. Now say, why 
should not that same law justify me? for it 
was to save me from starvation that I stole the 
bread." The judge looking over his glasses 
responded, n You reason well, but in spite of 
what you say, the court's sentence is, that you 
be taken from our presence to the county jail, 
there to remain, provided with bread and 



22 TOM PERKINS 

water, for thirty days." 

It was Sunday when he began his term, and 
on the following Sunday, the rector of St. 
James* church, with part of his choir, came to 
the jail to have a service for the inmates. In 
the jail they kept sacred song books which 
were used at such services. 

When the rector announced the hymn, and 
the choir began singing, there was heard 
among the prisoners, a voice which turned 
all eyes in search of who sang so divinely. 

Tom was singled out as the singer; his 
voice was a full, deep rich bass, and his artic- 
ulation such that not a word escaped the 
listener. 

After the service, the rector, having spoken 
from the text n My son, give me thy heart," 
asked permission to speak with the man who 
sang so delightfully, which was granted, and 
Tom was taken to the jail office, where the 




"Kicked him out the door empty handed" 

(Page 16) 



TOM PERKINS 23 

rector and two young women were in waiting. 

Tom, when lie entered, held low his head, 
until the rector approached him, and taking 
him by the hand said, n Young man, you have 
a fine voice, and no doubt you are proud of 
it, or have been in your better days; dont you 
think that Christ, whose gift your voice is, 
would be pleased to hear it in His house of 
worship ? or do you not believe in Christ ? n 

Tom then raised his head and rose to his 
feet, and thus replied, n Believe in Christ? the 
most terrible words of our Lord were these: 
1 Except ye believe that I am He, you shall 
die in your sins;' and I often wonder how 
certain sects will escape. Yes sir, I believe 
in Christ, and in all His words and works, 
but Satan, with his games and drink, has 
dragged me down, and chained me. When 
at college, I sang in a choir, and for a long 
time I felt it not so much a pleasure as a duty, 



24 TOM PERKINS 

but all the young men there did not feel as I 
did, and by degrees I became one of them, 
and sought pleasures, and neglected the 
promptings of my better self, and now, when 
I would gladly turn and walk in the better 
way, I have no righteous friends, nor means 
to start in the way I would like to go." " You 
say" the rector replied, "you were at college; 
and did you graduate? n " Yes sir, and with 
the highest honors; I was highest in all my 
classes; in elocution, the professor said, ' You 
are a wonder Thomas, and see that you fall 
not below the standard which you have here 
displayed.' I made all the addresses of the 
school, and received a beautiful diploma of 
which I was proud." 

" Now Mr. Perkins," said the rector, " if you 
wish to reform, and return to your duty, I 
will help you; will be your friend." Then 
Tom approached the minister and said, " I 



TOM PERKINS 25 

will give you my heart; it is full of the promise 
you desire, and with God's help I will serve 
Him, and obey you." 

The rector then took from his pocket a 
card on which was his address, and handing 
it to Tom said, n When you are discharged 
come to me, and we will make plans for 
your future; now I will leave you; then taking 
him by the hand, and laying one of his on 
Tom's head he said, n Goodbye, and the bless- 
ing of God be with you; n to which Tom said 
n Amen." The young women who were with 
the rector, also shook hands with him; the 
last one in so doing, left in his hand a paper, 
which when he returned to his cell, he found 
to be a new five dollar bill. 

When Tom's cell mate went to his cell, he 
found Tom on his knees in silent prayer; his 
mate had respect enough to say nothing, but 
stood until Tom arose from his knees, and 



26 TOM PERKINS 

then he said, " Tom, I wish I could pray, wont 
you pray for me, and teach me to pray? n to 
which Tom said, " Christ has given a prayer, 
and if you will kneel with me, I will say it 
with you." They knelt, and with fervent 
voice Tom repeated the Lord's prayer, to 
which his cell mate gave a hearty n Amen." 

On Monday at noon, the jailer said to Tom 
n Go and be shaved and take a bath, for your 
discharge has come, and of course you know 
what you have to do when you go out." 

The rector had gone to the judge and had 
secured Tom's discharge. 

On the afternoon of Tom's discharge, he 
started for the study of the rector, Mr. Lyman; 
while on his way he saw a frantic team of 
horses with carriage, dashing down the street 
without a driver. The street was full of men, 
but none brave enough to try to catch the 
runaways. 



TOM PERKINS 27 

There was a train approaching the crossing 
of the street; Tom saw the clanger, and heard 
a woman scream as the train drew near, and 
took his stand near the crossing, and when 
the team came he made a leap and grasped 
one horse by both his ears, and twisted his 
head, hanging his weight thereto, and thereby 
threw the horse, and caused the other to stop. 
Tom placed his knees upon the horse's neck, 
and thus held him down, while the train 
rumbled past not two feet from the horse's 
head; then a policeman rushed in and pushed 
Tom back, taking charge, as though he had 
done the daring act. 

When the young lady had gotten out of 
the carriage, she looked about her to see the 
tramp who had saved her, and seeing Tom, 
she went to him and said, n Brave sir, I cannot 
reward you now, but here is my address," 
handing him a card ; n be sure to come and 



28 TOM PERKINS 



Tom soon made himself scarce, and when 
out of the crowd, looked at the card on which 
was graven, Amelia Mason, 5040 Hie Street. 
That number was in the rich and aristocratic 
part of the city, and Mr. Mason was reckoned 
one of the richest. 

Tom kept on his way to the study of Mr. 
Lyman, where arriving he was received with 
much kindness; when he had talked for some 
time with the rector, the rector said, rising, 
"Mr. Perkins, we will go out later in the 
evening, and get some better clothing than 
you now have on." 

Tom rose to his feet and said, " Mr. Lyman 
there was a time when I begged for food, and 
stole bread and felt no shame, but now to 
have j r ou clothe me, burns what is left in me 
of manhood; will you allow me to consider 
what you give me as a loan, to be returned 



TOM PERKINS 29 

as I earn in some way, the means to repay you? 

n Have it your own way," said Mr. Lyman, 
" you remain with me until evening." 

After supper--for Tom ate with the rector 
and his good wife — the rector and Tom went 
out and Tom was provided with two suits 
from head to foot, and a large trunk; the 
clothing was put in the trunk and it directed 
to be delivered at the parsonage of St. James. 

When it arrived, Tom divested him of his 
rags, and when dressed, made his appearance 
in the rector's sitting room; the rector and 
wife were surprised at the change; they took 
him by the hand, giving him welcome. 

While the rector and Tom were still sitting 
in earnest conversation, the rector's wife rose 
and said, " Mr. Perkins, I will say goodnight, 
and will see you in the morning." 

Then said the rector, " Mr. Perkins, I am in 
need of an assistant teacher, and I believe 



30 TOM PERKINS 

that you can fill the position; I will advance 
you enough to see you through, and in the 
mean time, between now and the opening of 
the school, you can refresh your mind in re- 
spect to your studies, and what you will have 
to teach. 

My late teacher boarded with Mrs. Brown, 
a very good old lady, and I have arranged 
with her so that you will take the room which 
he occupied, but tonight you will lodge with 
us. n Thus Tom was started on the way to 
reform and success. 

Tom, not only during the months of July 
and August, refreshed his mind as to his 
studies at college, but posted himself in regard 
to the work of the school in which he was to 
be one of the faculty, and also read and made 
study in Theology, and with the aid of Mr. 
Lyman, made good progress. 

The following winter he was appointed lay 



TOM PERKINS 31 

reader of St. James'. His voice and manner 
of reading pleased all who heard him; but as 
has been said, he being a fine singer, the 
leader of the choir wanted him, and often 
had talks with the rector on the subject ; at 
last the rector said, " I will leave the matter 
with Mr. Perkins," and so it was agreed 
between them. 

When the matter was mentioned to Tom 
he said, n O, that I could do both, for my 
heart is in both, but as no man can be here 
and there at the same time, I feel it my duty 
to stand by him who reclaimed me, and his 
desire shall be my choice and pleasure. 

What shall I do?" he said, turning to Mr. 
Lyman ; n Read my son, " was the answer he 
received, and from that day Tom read the 
service. 

On September the first the school opened 
with one hundred boys, from fifteen to twenty 



32 TOM PERKINS 

years of age, and Tom took hold as though 
he had been there before, and the pupils took 
hold of Tom, and like ducks which follow the 
hen that hatched them, they were with him; 
they did not as the ducks which heeded not 
the hen's call when their nature wanted the 
sports of water ponds, for the boys did as 
Tom directed; his word with them was law 
which they were pleased to obey. 

In the midst of winter there swept a wave 
of reform over the kingdom of Imagination ; 
and Multitude, famous for fine dram shops, 
and gambling dens, felt the force of the wave. 

Temperance clubs were formed in all the 
churches, and to their meetings the outside 
world flocked. All the large halls were in use 
at least five nights in the week; there was 
good singing and stirring speeches at those 
meetings. 

Mr. Lyman suggested to Tom that he make 



TOM PERKINS 33 

a speech, to which Tom agreed and said, n I 
have in my trunk all the clothes I had on 
when you first saw me; I will get up a speech 
and appear at the meeting as a tramp, none 
knowing me but yourself. " R That n said Mr. 
Lyman, "will be grand, for you can act the 
ways of a tramp, giving as it were a living 
picture. n 

The evening came, on which Tom was to 
speak, and it was arranged that there would 
be a short opening speech, in the midst of 
which, Tom was to enter the hall as a tramp, 
and when the speaker was through, he would 
rise and ask the privilege of saying a few 
words to the meeting. Tom at the appointed 
time in the rear of the hall, rose and said, "Mr. 
President, I would like to talk to this meeting 
a little while; what the gentleman has said is 
all true, but there is much more to be said on 
that subject." 



34 TOM PERKINS 

Everybody turned to see who it was that 
spoke, and when they saw it was a tramp, the 
hall shook with applause, and cries of n Give 
him a chance. " The president, who was Mr. 
Lyman, rising said, " My friend come forward;" 
and when Tom was on the platform the 
president said to him, " By what name shall I 
introduce you?" Tom replied, "As one who 
has been on the wrong road, but now would 
gland as a finger po^t pointing others to the 
right way;" then he began: "Mr. President, 
ladies and gentleman, if there can be true 
pride in the breast of one like me, that pride 
warms my bosom, and makes me feel as not 
forsaken of God; and to introduce what I 
have to say, I will with your permission, sing 
you a song." "Song, song!" echoed through 
the hall. Tom then with a clear strong voice 
sang, and with so clear an articulation that 
not one word of his song was lost, notwith- 




At length Tom became calm" 



(Page 37) 



TOM PERKINS 35 

standing he sang and dramatically acted as 
he sang. 

TOM'S SONG. 
"Wine is a mocker, and I say 

To you who drink it, have a care, 
For vipers in the wine cups lay, 

Whose jeweled eyes while sparkling fair 
Are waiting for the coming day 

When you are heedless as was king 
Belshazzar, whom the Lord would weigh; 

Then! then you'll feel the viper's sting. 

The sting of conscience none may know 

Until perhaps too late to turn; 
The fires of hell, the Scriptures show 

Are quenchless, yet they cannot burn 
More fierce than conscience of who falls 

A victim to the damning bowl. 
The very thought of it appalls 

My heart, and shakes my inmost soul. 

Wake up! wake up! forswear the glass, 
Damnation lurketh there. Be wise 

Before 'tis said ■ It came to pass, 
In hell he lifted up his eyes 



36 TOM PERKINS 

And cried for water," as 'twas said 
Of one who heeded not God's laws. 

O, fathers, mothers, lad and maid, 

Christ calls to you, He bids you pause." 

When Tom ceased singing there was not a 
sound of applause, for deep emotion filled 
the hearts of all present. Then in a soft voice 
Tom began his address; he pleaded with the 
aged, showing the great responsibility resting 
with them as regards example set the young; 
and to the young he spake as one of them; as 
a brother who loved his brothers whom he 
had seen, and was striving to love God whom 
he had not seen. 

As he proceeded and became warmed up, 
as it seemed, suddenly he stepped back as if 
in great affright, and cried out, "Not yet! not 
yet! leave me a while longer." His ej'es 
dilated and seemed to flash fire, and with a 
rush forward he set down his foot and said, 



TOM PERKINS 37 

"There! that is one more serpent of hell 
which will hiss no more at me. n Then again 
starting, he laughed and said, n See yon bat 
on legs running the bases; ha! ha! there goes 
a ball on wings; oh! it has knocked him out; 
that is the way I make the balls fly. n 

Thus for a while he displayed the hallucina- 
tions of one in a fit of delirium; the audience 
was much excited, believing it was real. 

At length Tom became calm and said, 
"Dear people, such is the effect of ball teams 
and drink, and I would advise that parents 
send not their sons to schools where athletics 
are taught, and ball teams are encouraged; it 
is but going back to the days of paganism. 

We have now the prize fighters, and if we 
keep on, will again have the gladiatorial ex- 
hibitions, and the prisoners fighting wild beasts. 

Some of our churches have ball teams, and 
boys brigades with guns and swords — relics 



38 TOM PERKINS 

of barbarism. Why not give the boys crooks 
— the emblems of peace — which would keep 
in mind the good Shepherd? 

Why should we develop the brutal part of 
man and leave the spiritual to dwindle, until 
the devil has complete control of it? 

O! I appeal to you, parents, and to you, 
churches, to abolish all schemes which are 
calculated to set the body above the soul. 

Remember the soul is a breath of God, 
while the body is substance of the earth, as 
is the ox, and vile serpent which stingeth the 
soul, when you lift the glass to your lips. n 

Tom then paused a moment while tears ran 
down his cheeks ; then in a calm voice he 
said, n Dear friends, I have spoken of what I 
have known, for all the pangs of drinking, 
hunger, disgrace of the prison, have been 
mine; and it is to save, parents, your sons 
from the glimpses and pangs of hell which I 



TOM PERKINS 39 

have had, that I am here this evening. Now 
come! all of you; put your hands to the plow 
and look not back. Come ! put down your 
resolve to work for God, and your own salva- 
tion. After a pause, Tom resumed: 

1 Look where you will, and when, you'll see 

Damnation by the wagon load, 
And doors as bright as brass can be, 

AH opening to the short wide road 
To Hell. 

There, saunter in young men, and out 
With doubtful steps; and old men too. 

Nor for a moment think about 

The many who those holes went through 
To Hell. 

They say they go to quench their thirst; 

A sad mistake by old and young, 
For they at last may be accursed. 

And cry for water with parched tongue, 
In Hell. 

What once has been, may be again; 

No man's infallible; not one! 
The strongest, bravest, have been slain, 



40 TOM PERKINS 

And found to end the race they run, 
In Hell. 

Ye demi-gods who journals print, 
And boost Damnation, have a care; 

To you I give this gentle hint, 

So you may 'scape grim black Despair 
In Hell. 

Wake up ye dealers! christians wake! 

Ye judges who have got the pow'r 
To crush the fiend; make no mistake, 

Else you may 'neath God's justice, cow'r, 
In Hell. 

Ye men who stand behind the bar, 
And sell Damnation to the old 

And young — I care not who you are — 

Perhaps you'll find, yourselves, you've sold 
To Hell. 

Advice to all I give, and cry, 

Be wise, and heed the warnings giv'n; 

This life's uncertain, all must die, 

But drunkards are debarred from heav'n, 
In Hell. 

Again, with brother's love, I cry 

Wake up! your broken vows repair; 



TOM PERKINS 41 

Resolve to do; on Christ rely, 

For vain is every sigh and prayer. 
In Hell." 

Just then came from the far end of the hall 
a loud H Amen. n All eyes were turned that 
way, and lo! there stood a tramp, lean and 
hungry looking. Tom at once recognized his 
old pal, Bill Elliott; he called him to the front 
and there presented him to the audience; he 
was sober, but only so because he had not 
the wherewith to procure liquor. After Tom 
had talked with him a while, he said, n Bill, if 
you care to become a man, you will find help; 
begin now and I will stand by you with 
others. n 

Bill put down his name, and after him 
more than a hundred signed the pledge. 

There were but few in the hall who knew 
Tom in his disguise, and as that was his first 
public address, they knew not his voice. 



42 TOM PERKINS 

Mr. Lyman was so carried away with him, 
that he could not allow those present to de- 
part ignorant of who, and what he was; there- 
fore he came forward, and taking Tom by the 
hand, said, " I wish to say a few words before 
we separate; first let me tell you who this 
tramp is; he is none other than Mr. Thomas 
Perkins; he who has in charge many of your 
sons in our school, and you may rest assured 
that not for lack of care on his part, will any 
of your boys go astray. " Then such a roar of 
applause there was, that the windows shook. 

After a song, then a prayer by Mr. Lyman, 
the meeting adjourned to meet again one 
week from that night. 

Two years had passed since then, during 
which Tom had delved deep into the myste- 
ries of theology, and scripture history, and 
had applied for holy orders, to the great de- 
light of Mr. Lyman, for he had it in his heart 



TOM- PERKINS 43 

to have Tom serve his deaconship with him. 

Everybody who came in contact with Tom, 
formed the same opinion of him, and felt to- 
ward him as near of kin. 

Tom treated everybody the same; his elders 
as fathers and mothers; the younger as brothers 
and sisters; while there were, no doubt, some 
young hearts which fluttered when Tom was 
nigh, but he, so far as love was concerned, 
felt it not. 

On the evening after Tom was ordained 
deacon, there was a little company at the par- 
sonage in his honor, and there he met Miss 
Amelia Mason. The ladies began telling of 
wonderful happenings in their lives. Among 
the stories was one which Miss Mason, in a 
graphic manner, narrated. It was of her res- 
cue from death, by a tramp, and she said, 
n He was brave, and must have had a manly 
spirit, for although I gave him my address, 



44 TOM PERKINS 

and bade him call on me, he never came. I 
often think of that day and of that poor tramp 
and I am sorry that at that time I had nothing 
with me with which to reward him. n 

The card she gave was a mourning card; 
it had wide black border, and Tom had, with 
a pin point, scratched through the border, the 
day and date, and the hour of the day, so 
the white of the card was seen through the 
black. 

Tom after a little while, went and sat by 
Miss Mason, and asked her how long ago it 
was since the episode of which she was 
speaking happened; "I think" said she, "about 
eighteen months. " " And you have never 
seen nor heard of that tramp since ? " said 
Tom; " Not as I am aware of, " she replied. 

Tom then took from his breast pocket a 
card, and handing it to her said, " Read on 
the margin of that and perhaps it will refresh 



TOM PERKINS 45 

your memory. n She did so ; then raising her 
sparkling blue eyes, glistening with tears, said, 
" And have I at last found the brave tramp, 
and have you come for your reward ? " " Yes, 
yes," said Tom, n I am he, and the reward I 
ask is true christian friendship, and God will 
bless the gift and giver; I am now clothed 
and in my right mind. " 

Just then Tom was called on for some music 
and with songs and bright thoughts, the eve- 
ning came to a close, and all were well pleas- 
ed with each other; but Tom was the lion. 

The next morning Tom said to Mr. Lyman, 
n I wish to make a proposition, which is this: 
that you visit the young people of the congre- 
gation, and I the older, for the young people 
will give more heed to you than to me, and I 
will learn more from the aged than from the 
young. n 

n That " said Mr. Lyman, n will be just the 



46 TOM PERKINS 

thing, for the young mind may heed me and 
learn, while as you have said, you may catch 
of the good spirit from aged saints. " And so 
they agreed. 

It so happened that Tom was sent for one 
night after the above agreement, to visit a sick 
old lady, and while he and she talked of the 
past, and their hope of the future, Tom said, 
11 We lay up treasures in heaven sometimes 
when we little think; a kind look or word; a 
cup of cold water given in a true spirit, will 
surely bring its reward, though we may not 
be aware of it. n 

" Yes, yes, " the old lady said, while tears 
ran down her pallid cheeks. Tom took her 
handkerchief which was lying by her side, 
and while wiping her tears away said, n Dear 
mother, have good cheer, nor weep, for 
Christ loves you and would have you be 
glad. " The old lady made a motion toward 



TOM PERKINS 47 

her daughter who had softly entered the room 
and was standing behind Tom in tears ; Tom 
turning and seeing her in tears, rose from his 
seat, and said, n Miss Martin, how are you ? 
and why in tears ? the Master is kind to you, 
is He not ? n to which questions Elizabeth 
Martin replied, " Yes, more so perhaps than I 
deserve, but hearing you talk with mother of 
the little deposits we may make to our credit 
for the future, I think of the few I have made 
in life thus far, but since I first met you, I have 
striven to increase my account. Do you know 
where and when I first saw you ? " Tom, for 
a moment thought, and then replied, n I do 
not. n Miss Martin then said, " I would not 
awaken in your mind sad thoughts, nor bring 
before you scenes of the past, but, Mr. Perkins 
I was with our rector when he held service in 
the jail, and I heard you promise to reform, if 
you had a helping friend, and I now rejoice, 



48 TOM PERKINS 

seeing how faithfully you have kept that pro- 
mise. " n And that is not all I have kept, n 
said Tom, while he was bringing from his 
pocketbook, a clean five dollar bill, wrapped 
nicely in fine tissue paper. n There n said he 
to Mrs. Martin, "when I was in prison, she 
visited me, and she gave me that, and I have 
kept it, feeling sure that some day I would 
learn who she was who gave it me. And now, 
Miss Martin, take it, and when you see one 
in need, use it again. n But Elizabeth would 
not, saying, n That is part of my treasure, laid 
up in heaven, and I pray you to see to it, as 
you do to the souls now in your charge. n 

Tom concluded to visit his old home, and 
for that purpose he got two weeks leave of 
absence; but before going, he procured tomb 
stones for the graves of his parents, and had 
saved enough money to pay off the debt he 
had assumed, with interest. Arriving at his 



TOM PERKINS 49 

old home, the first person he called upon, was 
him to whom he owed the two hundred 
dollars. He lifted the note, paying full interest 
from date, then by the kindness of the man 
living in the old homestead, he was driven 
to the churchyard where his good parents lay 
at rest. 

He had their graves put in order, and in a 
day or two thereafter, arrived the tombstones 
which were placed at the graves. 

Tom met the parson then preaching in the 
old "Brick Church," as it was called, and 
asked of him permission to preach in his 
pulpit on next Lord's day, which was granted, 
and when Sunday came, the church was 
packed, for it had been noised through the 
country that a great preacher from the city of 
Multitude, would occupy the pulpit on that 
day. 

After singing and praying, Tom rose and 



50 TOM PERKINS 

read the nineteenth chapter of Matthew, and 
chose for his text, the words of Christ to the 
young ruler: "Honor thy father and thy 
mother. n 

Tom in his discourse, spoke as one who 
had done great dishonor to his parents, and 
so powerful were his words, that at the close 
of the service, tears flowed from many eyes, 
and sons and daughters were seen embracing 
and kissing their parents. One old woman 
went up to the rostrum, and throwing her 
arms around Tom's neck, kissed him and 
said, n Blessed be the womb that bore thee, 
for thou wilt bring joy to many hearts. n 

When Tom had beautified the graves of 
his parents, he took his departure for home, 
and upon arriving there, the first news he re- 
ceived was that Mrs. Brown, the old lady with 
whom he lived, was dead and in her grave. 
He found the house closed, and his effects at 




Thomas Perkins 



TOM PERKINS 51 

the house of the redior. Mr. Lyman all along 
addressed Tom as n My son n and now he 
said, n My son, make your home with us 
henceforth. n 

Time sped on and Tom as assistant redtor, 
did most of the work, as Mr. Lyman was 
quite up in years and needed rest. 

One morning Mother Lyman — as Tom call- 
ed her — said to Tom, n My son, it is about 
time you should be choosing a wife; you 
would have no trouble finding one among 
so many lasses in the parish. For instance, 
there is Miss Martin, and Miss Mason, and 
other workers in the church ; many of them 
Thomas, almost worship you now. n Tom 
answered with a sigh, n Mother, my work is 
to lead souls to Christ, and not to hymen's 
altar, and I have chosen the church as my 
bride. " 

The subject of marriage was never spoken 



52 TOM PERKINS 

of from that day. 

Tom had now been in the ministry six 
years, and Mr. Lyman was growing feeble ; 
he had ceased to minister, and at last was 
taken very ill. Tom was with him night and 
day, for he feared the end was nigh ; for the 
good old man's body was wasted to almost a 
shadow ; yet knowing bliss was in wait for 
his soul, Tom grieved not at the thought of 
separation. 

It was in the midst of December, when 
Tom and a few friends of the family, were 
at the bedside of the sick one, awaiting the 
departure of his spirit, when at length the 
rector turned toward his wife, and Tom who 
stood at her side, and in feeble voice said, 
n The words of our Master have come to me ; 
but then, He was in agony when He spake, 
while I have no pain, but in perfect peace of 
mind. n Then, looking at his wife, he said, 



TOM PERKINS 53 

n Woman, behold thy son ; " then looking at 
Tom he said, " son, behold thy mother ; " and 
at the last word, with a sigh, his soul took its 
flight. 

From that day until now, that relationship 
has continued between Mrs. Lyman and 
Thomas Perkins. 

If any of my readers of the present day, 
should visit the city of Multitude, be sure to 
visit St. James* church, and hear the greatest 
pleader for human souls to seek after Christ, 
that has been heard in all the land of Imagi- 
nation. One great theme of his was to the 
Jews, and Unitarians ; his text was those ter- 
rible words of Christ: "Except ye believe 
that I am He, ye shall die in your sins. n And 
many were the Jews who cried, " Lord, I 
believe. n 

Thus it may be seen that out of rough clay, 
the potter can make a beautiful vessel ; and 



54 



TOM PERKINS 



out of a tramp base ball player, God can 
make a servant faithful, and beloved of men. 




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